Board of Directors
Behind the scenes of every not-for-profit organisation is a management committee that is responsible for the organisation's legal/financial accountability, strategic vision/objectives, fundraising and advocacy.
The Tangaroa Blue Foundation Board is made up of seven Directors who are based around Australia and bring strong guidance to the organisation as it continues to grow and deliver our mission and vision.
Our Board of Directors are listed below and can be contacted via email at info@tangaroablue.org.
Tom Godfrey – Director / Chair
A proven media and public relations professional, Tom has extensive international experience with both public companies and not-for-profit organisations. He has worked on major environmental and consumer campaigns, product launches, events, corporate branding and positioning. Tom has a strong track record providing media and public relations support, acting as company spokesperson, managing media and working with a range of stakeholders. He is also a high profile media commentator with regular appearances on TV and radio programs across Australia. Tom has an extensive network across Australia, Asia, North America and Europe at board and senior management level. He also holds a Masters in Communication Management and an Honours Degree in History and Economics. Tom has held senior media and communications roles with the consumer group CHOICE, the British Standards Institution (“BSI”), Standards Australia, SAI Global (ASX: SAI) and is the Owner and Managing Director of Bell George Communications and BG Mobile Apps. Tom is currently Managing Director of Bell George Communications and a non-executive director at Good Environmental Choice.
Karenn Singer – Director / Secretary
Having travelled, worked and lived in remote areas across the world, Karenn has witnessed the growing impact of plastics and other waste on environments and communities. It was during a beach clean-up that she recognised the value of data combined with grass root action to help change behaviours and influence decision makers to reduce pollution. Karenn joined the Board of Tangaroa Blue in 2020. She brings a range of skills and experience in government, tourism and the not-for-profit sector, with a focus on sustainable community development. She has a Master of Arts in Maritime Policy and has received awards for her efforts with Island Care on Christmas Island, where she is now based.
Shoanne Labowitch – Director
A passionate environment and sustainability specialist, Shoanne joined the Tangaroa Blue Board in 2021. Shoanne has been passionate about the marine environment from her early years, growing up on a 42-foot yacht. She is driven to improve on environmental and sustainability outcomes at the local, regional and global level. Working as an Environment Manager for a large national building materials company, Shoanne’s goal is to be at the forefront of sustainable institutional change. She is passionate about waste management, for the purpose of finding solutions to save the marine environment from the plague of marine debris currently suffocating it.
Dr. Lyndon Walker – Director / Treasurer
Lyndon is a highly experienced academic and advisor with extensive experience as a member and chair of academic and commercial boards and committees, including startup advisory boards, academic programme committees, and institutional academic boards. He has qualifications in education, finance, statistics, and sociology, including a PhD in Statistics and Sociology, and is on TEQSA’s register of experts for statistics, data science and finance. He is passionate about saving the environment and has previously been involved in a range of social and environmental causes through Rotaract and several Animal protection groups.
Jane Burton – Director
Jane is a senior legal and compliance professional with over 15 years’ experience advising senior management and board levels in both the public and private sectors. Working as the General Counsel – APAC for a leading global law firm, Jane brings deep legal, strategic and leadership experience, with particular expertise in technology and data law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from the University of Melbourne. Jane is a passionate traveller and nature-lover, and wants to preserve healthy and flourishing marine environments for future generations to enjoy.
Bruce Hultgren – Director
Bruce is a visionary with outstanding organisational, decision making and leadership skills. Having played as a professional in Australia’s National Basketball League for 8 years, Bruce brings discipline and persistence with him to business. As the Founder of OhCrap.com.au and TheGOYA.life, Bruce has extensive experience in business development, program development, relationship management, and system construction, implementation and management.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucehultgren/
Heidi Tait – Managing Director / CEO / Founder
Heidi’s love for the ocean comes from 20 years as a scuba diving instructor. In 2004 Heidi co-founded the Tangaroa Blue Foundation and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative as a way of not only removing the ever-increasing loads of rubbish in our oceans, but more importantly finding ways that prevented marine debris from being released in the first place. Her mantra is “if all we do is clean-up, that’s all we’ll ever do”. Heidi has been sitting of the Board of Directors since the organisation started in 2004 and is contracted outside of her role on the Board to oversee the administration and day to day operations of the organisation as well as assist in strategic direction and partnerships. Heidi was named one of the “18 Most Influential Women in Ocean Conservation” in the July 2018 edition of Ocean Geographic.